Continue reading »]]> It has been months since I have made a blog post. I think of posting every week but it just hasn’t happened. Today, As my daughter naps I figure what better time than this!

I have been making lots of creative solutions over the past few months. I wish I had photographed everything step by step for a tutorial (which was my original intention), but at least I have good after pics.

Here is a summary of some recent favorite projects!

First, this summer I made a one-of-a-kind display bust for my jewelry. Here is how I did it.  STEP 1: I went to a salvage store of sorts J&S Wholesale in Asheboro. There I searched and searched for a mannequin bust where I wouldn’t have to purchase a whole mannequin (because that can be very expensive).  When I almost gave up after finding plenty of whole mannequins that were too expensive I finally came across a silver one armed mannequin bust that looks like it was straight out of an 80′s department store. This lady, I call her Stella, was crammed back in a corner. She really needed a home and a face lift so with my husbands help I got to work.  STEP 2: I went to the local craft store, Hobby Lobby to purchase some pre-cut wooden circles to cap off the head and arms after we cut off the remainder of the neck and one arm. I also purchased ivory matte spray paint, a drawer pull, and some ribbon which I ended up not using.  STEP 3: We cut off the head and arm and then patched all wholes with spackle. While that was drying we pre-drilled the whole for the knob in the top and glued and threaded it through. We let that dry and them attached the circles on with epoxy cement.  STEP 4: Once all way dry I sanded and painted Stella for her first show Art May-Ham. What a big success! I am so happy with the appearance and sense of accomplishment.

My second favorite DIY project was my inspiration to make my daughter into an owl for Halloween. It was the first animal sound she spoke and I saw an adorable costume in the Pottery Barn catalog, but thought OMG when I saw the price. With all of my fabric hoarding I had literally everything I needed to make this. So I began drawing my vision. This woodland owl was going to be full of color and pattern. I gathered fabric scraps, felt, embroidery floss, thread and an old hoodie of my daughters from last years pumpkin costume. Here is how I made it all come together.  STEP 1: I sketched a few owl faces, stomachs and wings from my imagination and then realized some google image searches of a real owl photo would help.  STEP 2: Draw patterns for wings on stomach and deconstruct pumpkin hoodie costume. After pulling off pocket and taking off the yarn stem I sewed the seams back up and was good to go.  STEP 3: Trace a variety of fabric scraps with the pattern for wings and lay them out on an oval. I sewed them row by row across the top horizontally on the oval and stacked row by row to overlap.  STEP 4: Cut felt pieces and hand stitch face mask then sew to the top of hood.  STEP 5: Create wing pattern and trace, cut and sew symmetrical wings.  STEP 6: Fold top of stomach oval over and sew a channel to feed ribbon through. I then sewed ribbon on the ends of the hoodie to thread the stomach on and tie the hoodie closed.  STEP 7: Tack the face and wings on in two places each so that later on when your child outgrown the hoodie you can still use all of the pieces for dress up and play time! Here are some pictures to help you get the idea. Each project took me about a week working a few hours a day.

Continue reading »]]> Whether you are shopping for mom or for yourself I have a free shipping promotion for you. Shop in my etsy store over the next week and all items will be shipped FREE via first class mail! Purchases must be made from 4-19-11 through 4-26-11. Spread the word to all your friends. Take advantage of this generous offering while it lasts.

If your items doesn’t show free shipping in your shopping cart use coupon code: MOTHERSDAY2011

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I have had the pleasure of having my daughter’s photographs taken by Passion Photography by Leslie of Randleman, NC. Leslie’s work is engaging and really lovely. Her photos take my breath away. I especially love her newborn and wee ones photography.

After sharing with Leslie that I am a jewelry artist, and that my shop features lots of settings that can be customized with photographs, the two of us discussed ideas about how we could combine both of our work. Now I am excited to announce that we have created a collaboration. Fans of Passion Photography by Leslie’s Facebook page can use the coupon code PASSION in my etsy shop at checkout to receive 15% off my jewelry. The hope is that her clients will take advantage of this great deal and use her photographs in my wearable personalized designs of my b UNIQUE series. I am really happy to be working together on this. If you haven’t checked out her work you really should. The best part of being a fan of her page is that you are treated with posts of adorable photographs every day.

The coupon code is active from 4/10/11 – 4/17/11. If you are a fan of her page and use the PASSION code you will also receive a $20 gift certificate from Leslie for her business that can be used on ordering prints, or go toward the cost of your next photography session. Have fun Mother’s Day shopping in my store with this great offer!

Continue reading »]]> Flip Side – The “flip side” is the reverse side of a vinyl record, a term often used by radio DJs. They might say “I’ll catch you on the flip side” to mean they will let a particular album play through, and won’t start talking again until they have to change or “flip” records.

The flip side is also know as the b-side of an album or the b-sides, hence my attraction to the term.

The word flip side is also a word used to represent an opposite.
So, in case you were wondering what “the flip side of an artistic jeweler” infers, this is what I mean by that.

I don’t solely see myself as a jeweler. I am not a one-dimensional artist. I am a jeweler, but also a crafts-person, a painter, a photographer, a graphic designer, an interior designer, a teacher, a tree hugger and a mother. I have many interests.

On my blog I hope to feature more layers beyond my passion for jewelery. I work with many other forms of art besides wearables. I will also share other projects that I am partaking in. I plan to discuss my interests in the environment and healthy lifestyles in addition to art making and design.

So, until my next project arises, “I’ll catch you on the flip side.”

Arfully Yours,
Brooke Sides